Browns rookie charged in NJ beating is released

PASSAIC, N.J. (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have released a rookie who is charged with attempted murder for allegedly punching a man outside a club in northern New Jersey.

Ausar Walcott turned himself in to Passaic police Tuesday after he was identified as a suspect in an incident that happened around 3 a.m. Sunday.

The linebacker was signed by the Browns on May 13 following a tryout. The team announced his release Wednesday.

Authorities tell The Record (http://bit.ly/19t3uSU ) newspaper the 23-year-old Hackensack, N.J., native and former University of Virginia player punched 24-year-old Derrick Jones in the head just after The Palace Gentlemen’s Club closed. Police say Jones, who is from New York City, is in critical condition.

Walcott is held on $500,000 bail. It’s not clear if he has a defense lawyer.

His release came on day after the AFC’s rookies visited the Browns’ facility as part of the NFL’s Rookie Symposium, four days of seminars and meetings designed to prepare the drafted first-year players for life as a professional — on and off the field.

Earlier this week, the players listened to cautionary speeches from Cincinnati cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones and former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett about staying out of trouble.

Walcott is the second Browns rookie to be arrested. Seventh-round selection Armonty Bryant was charged with drunken driving in Oklahoma less than one week after the Browns picked the defensive end in April’s draft. Bryant, who was also arrested on a felony drug charge in college, said Tuesday that he has been working hard to stay clean.

Walcott was a four-year letter winner at Virginia. He made 22 career starts and played in 45 games for the Cavaliers, recording 128 tackles with 1½ sacks and a fumble recovery.